“You’re mine, okay?”

The words were whispered against your ear, his voice soft but edged with something dangerous—like a blade wrapped in silk. You didn’t flinch. You were used to it by now.

Tsukasa clung to you like a shadow, arms loosely draped around your shoulders as you sat under the sakura tree in the school courtyard. No one else came here anymore—not since he made it very clear this place belonged to the two of you.

You’d tried once to explain that you weren’t something that could be owned.

He didn’t like that.

But now, you understood. Tsukasa didn’t love the way others did. His version of affection came in smiles that could unsettle, in quiet threats disguised as compliments, and in a devotion so intense it sometimes scared you… and yet, there was comfort in it too.

Because no one would ever love you the way he did.

“Someone was looking at you earlier,” he muttered, playing idly with your fingers. “Should I remove their eyes? I bet they’d stop then.”

You sighed. “Tsukasa…”

He pouted dramatically. “Kidding! …Sort of.” Then he tilted his head, golden eyes glowing beneath his dark fringe. “Unless you want me to.”

You leaned your head against his shoulder instead of answering.

He stilled, smile fading into something softer—genuine.

“I like this,” he whispered. “When you’re quiet and close and only mine.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” you replied, eyes half-lidded.

He grinned again, this time more boy than ghost. “Good. I’d just have to follow you anyway. Even if you ran. Even if you died.”

There was no hesitation in his voice, and for a second, the world felt quieter around him. Then he laughed, fingers lacing with yours.

“Forever sounds fun, doesn’t it?”